Vulcanizing press and timing mechanism therefor



June 8, 1943. E, SODERQUIST 2,321,326

VULCANIZING PRESS AND TIMING MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed Sept. 26, 1940 '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR A55; /E E. 5005/?(90/57 ATTORNEYS June 8, 1943. 1.. E. SODERQUIST 2,321,325

VULCANIZING PRESS AND TIMING MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed Sept. 26, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z 3 if 5 4 j? r" 55 us A Iii m5 L w 58 I m i M162 INVENTOR LESLIE E. 500ER U/5T TTORNEYS June 8, 1943. SODERQUIST 2,321,326

VULCANIZING PRESS AND TIMING MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed Sept. 26, 1940 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 I44 I40 II 3 4 --zz 07 a5 //6 I 8 II0I/3 46' INVENTOR 551.15 5 Souls-Rows? ATTO R N EYS June 8, 1943- L, E. SODERQUIST 2,321,326

' VULCANIZING PRESS AND TIMING MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed Sept. 26, 1940 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 f5 f6 I 35 f 5 Y I J7 M0 35 7 W INVENTOR L5u E. SOOERQU/ST BY @zq 55% ATTORNEYS June 8, 1943. L. E, SODERQUIST 2,321,326

VULCANIZING PRESS AND TIMING MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed Sept. 26, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 I I 6 59 I44 /25 340 j 35 INVENTOR LESLIE t. .Soofau/sr BY q- 7 ATTORNEYS June 8, 1943. E, SODERQUIST 2,321,326

VULCANIZING PRESS AND TIMING MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed Sept. 26, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet e Sui INVENTOR LESL IE E. .SODER U/5T BY Y A TORNEYS June 8, 1943. E. SODERQUIST 2,321,326

VULCANIZING PRESS AND TIMING MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed Sept. 26, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR 551.15 5. 5005/?470/57' BY If? ATTORNEYS Patented June 8,v 1943 VULCANIZING PRESS AND THVIING MECHA- NISM THEREFOR Leslie E. Soderquist, Akron, Ohio, assignor to The .McNeil Machine & Engineering Company,

Akron, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application September 26, 1940, Serial No. 358,441

6 Claims.

This invention relates to vulcanizing presses and to timing mechanism for use therewith, and

' more particularly it relates to such mechanism as used with presses for curing inner tubes for pneumatic tires. The timing mechanism is illustrated and described in connection with tube presses, but it may also be employed in presses for curing tires and other articles.

In using vulcanizing presses of the type referred to it is customary to vulcanize the tube or other article between upper and lower mold sections which are heated, preferably by steam jackets. The interior of the article is'connected to a source of hot air (and in some cases steam) which assists the heat in the jacket "in curing the article.

It is an object of this invention to improve upon existing presses and timing mechanism and to secure new and beneficial results as will be more fully set forth. The press disclosed in this application is fully automatic, it being necessary only to start the press in operation after an article has been properly placed therein, and the press will close, remain closed during the curing cycle and open again at the end of the cure.

Another object is to provide timing mechanism which will not only automatically control the opening and closing of the press, the admission and exhaustion of fluid into and out of the article to be cured, the time of the cure, etc., but which will automatically return the timer to its starting position at the end of the cure whereby it will be instantly ready for the next article to be cured.

A further object is to provide safety mean whereby if during the'closing of the press any foreign object, such as an operators arm, should be caught between the mold section, the closing movement is instantly stopped, and the movement may be reversed to return the press to open position.

A further object is to provide a timing mechanism which may be interrupted during its cycle of operation and upon such interruption will immediately and automatically return the timer to its starting position.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: I

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the press and timer with parts shown in section,

Fig. 2 is an-enlarged vertical section taken substantially on line 2-2 of Fig. 4, with parts shown in elevation,

is a similar view taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 4,

Fig. 4 is a similar view taken substantially online 4-4 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 5 is an enlarged horizontal section taken substantially on line 55 of Fig. 4,

Fig. 6 is a further enlarged fragmentary section taken substantially on line 6-8 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 7 is a similar fragmentary view taken substantially on line 1-1 of Fig. 6,

Fig. 8 is an enlarged section similar to the I upper part of Fig. 4 with the parts shown in a different position than in Fig. 4,

Fig. 9 is an enlarged vertical section taken substantially on line 9-9 of Fig. 8, and

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view showing the preferred wiring diagram used with the apparatus.

Referring to the drawings the numeral Ill designates the stationary lower mold section of an inner tube vulcanizing press, while the upper movable mold section is indicated at ll. Both sections are steam jacketed as showriin Fig. 1, being connected to a suitable source of steam (not shown). While I have shown'the lower mold section stationary and the upper mold section movable, this arrangement can be reversed or both sections may be movable, if desired. Lower mold section 10 contains a portion I! of a tube molding cavity which receives a tube l3 to be vulcanized in the press. Upper mold section H has a complementary portion I4 of the tube molding cavity which, together with portion i2, completely enclose tube l3 when the mold sections are closed, and form a chamber in which the tube is treated or cured as is well known in this art. Inner tube I3 is connected through its valve stem IS with a line l6 through which hot air or other inflating and curing fluid is admitted to the tube.

The lower mold section III is fixed upon a base I! in which is pivoted the stationary shaft [8 which forms a fixed bearing for a lever actuating mechanism. 0n the ends of shaft [8 projecting beyond the frame of the base are two parallel pressure links l9 which extend upwardly on each side beyond theupper mold section and are pivoted at their upper ends, by hearing pins 20, to two parallel rocking arms or levers 2| which extend on both sides of the operating centers formed by the pins 20. One end of each lever 2| is connected by a'transverse shaft 22 onwhich is pivoted a heavy platen 23. Levers 2| are connected to a heavy transverse web or bracing member 24 which serves to tie the levers together. Upper mold section II is adjustably'secured to platen 23 by means of suitable screws 25. y

The opposite ends of each lever 2| carry pivot pins 26 by which these levers are connected to the upper end of a pair of parallel operating links 21, the lower ends of which are pivoted to pins 28 secured to crankarm 29 which are, in turn, formed 'integraljvith crankwheels 30. Wheels 3|) are'flxedto the ends of a main operating shaft 3| supported in the rear of the base N. This shaft 3| is connected through suitable gearing (not shown) with a three phase driving motor 32, although any other suitable motor may be used, if desired.

As shown and described, the press actuating means are substantially identical with those shown in my copending application Serial No.

199,417, filed April 1, 1938, and reference may be had to said application for any further information desired concerning same.

Still referring to Fig. 1, a pair of spaced brackets 33 are carried by base |1 adjacent the front thereof andthese brackets carry a post 34 that supports a timer box or housing 35 which carries the timing mechanism to be described, suitable securing means 36 being provided to seoure the housing to the post. The top of housing 35 has an incoming fluid line 31 leading thereinto from a suitable source of pressure (not shown), in which line there is a two way valve 38 and a hand operated valve 39, the latter ordinarily not being used. Valve 38 is norm-ally closed when the press is open as in Fig. l, and a spring pressed pin 40 is operated to open this valve. As shown, one of the side links l9 carries a spring pressed plunger 4| which engages pin 40 when the press is closed, as indicated by the dash line position of link l9 in Fig. 1, and permits passage of fluid through valve 38 into housing 35.

After passing through valve mechanism in housing 35 which will be later described, the fluid passes out .of the housing into line 42 which leads to a diaphragm valve 43 of the conventional type, the latter valve being adapted to controLthe passage 01' hot air or other fluid under pressure to inner tube l3. It will be noted from Fig. 1 that this fluid which enters tube l3 passes through line 44 from a suitable source of pressure (not shown) to the lower end of valve 43, the upper end of which is connected to line l6 which leads to the tube. When valve 43 is open, fluid will pass from line 44 into tube l3, but when closed, this fluid will exhaust from tube l3 through a conventional exhaust port in valve 43.

Referring now to Fig. 4, it will be observed that housing 35 has a lower cored portion 45 which receives the upper end of post 34, the latter being hollow to receive a tube 46 through which the various conductor wires (not shown) for the' different parts of the timing mechanism are brought into the housing. Above portion 45, the housing is provided with a compartment 41 having an opening 48 in its rear wall which is closed by a backing plate 49, a gasket 58 being arranged between plate 49 and the housing. Compartment 41 has a lower portion 5| in which is mounted a double arm type starting switch 52 for the timer motor to be described, a stop switch 53, and a reversing switch 54, all of which switches are conventional and whose operation can be readily understood from Fig. 10. Adjacent its upper end, housing 35 has the incoming line 31 and the outgoing line 42 passing therethrough and being received in the short front wall 55 (see Fig. 3), which wall is provided with ports 56 and 55' (see Figs. 3 and 7) for the passage or fluid through the wall in a manner to be described.

The numeral 51 designates a closure member for the front of housing which is secured thereto as at 58 (Figs. 2 and 3) and which is provided with a chamber 59 in its upper portion. while the lower portion of member 51 is reduced in width as at 60 so as to cover a similarly reduced lower portion of housing 35.

Chamber 59 has a rear wall 6| which extends the length of the chamber except for an opening 62 adjacent the top thereof and a smaller opening arms support the upper end of a plate 66, as by means of screws 61, in parallel relation with wall 6|, the lower end of plate 66 being secured to the outer end of a supporting arm '68, also preferably formed integral with wall 6|.

Wall 6| and plate 66 are provided with bearings 69 and 10, respectively, which slidably and rotatably receive a shaft 1| which has a gear 12 fixed thereon by a means of a pin 13, while spaced from this gear, a collar 14 is fixed on the shaft by a pin 15. Outwardly of wall 6|, shaft 1| is reduced in size to receive a collar 16 which is keyed thereon as at 11 and which is provided with a rear flange 18. Collar 16 is also provided with a keyway 19 which receives a key 80 of a main cam disc 8|, while between disc 8| and flange 18, a pair of cooperating cam discs 82 and 83 are mounted so as to turn on collar 16 except when fastened tightly between disc 8| and flange 18. Also mounted on collar 16, outwardly of disc 8|, is a ring 84 having a small handle 85 which facilitates adjustment of the cam discs. Handle 85 has its inner end extending into keyway 19 and movement of ring 84 around collar 16 is therefore lim ited to the movement of handle 85 in keyway 19, except when tightened as will be explained. The outer end of shaft 1| is screw threaded as at 88 to receive a tightening nut 81 threaded thereon, which when tightened will hold ring 84, and discs 8|, 82 and 83 between said nut and flange 18 whereby there will be no relative movement between any of these members and shaft 1|. Nut 81 has a reduced hexagonal opening 81 therein for a purpose to be described. The outer end of nut 81 carries a push button 88 which is used to slide shaft 1| and everything connected to this shaft rearwardly, and which is provided with a ball bearing 89 to permit relative turning movement between shaft 1| and button 88 if it should become necessary to press button 88 inwardly while shaft 1| is rotating. Button 88 is provided with an opening 88' in alignment with opening 81' Gear 12 is constantly in mesh with a pinion 98 fixed on a small shaft 9| which is also slidably and rotatably mounted in wall 6| and plate 66, bearings 92 and 93 being provided to receive this shaft. A collar 94 is fixed on shaft 9| outwardly of pinion so that the upper portion of this-collar will bear against the outer side'of the teeth on gear 12. Also fixed on shaft 9| is a gear 95 adapted upon sliding movement of shaft 9| to be moved into mesh with a drive pinion 96 which is being driven by a timer motor 91. Gear 95 may also be pushed past pinion 96 into the space between the latter and plate 66. On the hub of gear 95 a washer 98 is arranged to receive one end of a coil spring '99 which surrounds shaft 9| and has its opposite end in engagement with a flange I formed on afcollar IOI slidably mounted on shaft 9|. Flange I00 is extended to provide a cupped end portion I02. on collar III, which cupped portion fits over a portion of pinion 96 and bears against the inner side of the teeth on gear 12, as clearly shown in Fig. 4.

It will now be observed that when button 06 is pushed to slide shaft 1| inwardly, gear 12 which .bears against collar IOI' will slide shaft ill inwardly against the action of the yielding connection provided by collar IN and spring 99, and will move gear 95 either into mesh with pinion 96 or past the latter into the space between pinion 96 and plate 66, depending upon how far the sliding movement is carried. As long as gear 95 freely meshes with pinion 96 or goes freely past pinion 96, the yielding connection is not so important, but since pinion 96 is rotating slowly from the motor 91, it is possible for the sides of the teeth of the pinion to engage and momentaril prevent meshing ofthe teeth. At such time, the yielding connection is advantageous as it will prevent damage to these parts of the mechanism.

secured to pin 13 as at I06 (see Fig. 3) whereby as gear 12 rotates, the steel tape will wind around the hub ofgear 13. With this arrangement, at any time gear 95 and pinion 96 go out of mesh, spring I03 will immediately and automatically return shaft 1I and the rest of the parts operable therewith to the starting position.

When shaft 1| is moved inwardly by pushing button 86, the rear end of this shaft engages an enlarged extension I01 of Bakelite or other insulatin material which is threaded o'nthe outer end of a slidable square shaft I01, said extension being slidable in an opening formed in switch box I00. Shaft I01 carries a movable contact member I08 of a conventional switch I09, which switch as will be later described in connection with Fig. 10, is operative when shaft H is in the position shown in Fig. 4 or is in its extreme inward position (see Fig. 10). Switch I 09 is used to initiate the closing action of the press, as will be later described. The rear end of shaft I01 carries a collar IIO also formed of Bakelite or other insulating material and a gasket III is placed between the switch box and a flange II2 on collar IIO. A coil spring II3 surrounds collar 0 and has one end engaging flange II2, while the opposite end of this spring extends beyond collar I I0 and surrounds a small projection IN mounted on a U-shaped bracket II5 which i secured by screws II6 to a small plate II1 said screws also securing said small plate to plate 66. This arrangement is such that rearward slidin action of shafts H and I01 is opposed by spring H3 and this spring will return these shafts to their initial position when push button 88 is released, provided the mechanism to be next described is not interposed in the path of movement of shaft H to prevent complete return movement of these shafts. As will be observed from Fig. 4, collar 14 on shaft 1| supports a roller H8 carried on the lower end of a rod I I9 the upper end of which is pivoted by a pin I20 toa lever arm I2I, intermediate the ends of'the latter. The shape of lever I2I' is shown in Fig. 5 and the rear wide portion of the lever is pivoted at its ends, by means of pins I22 to the free ends of bracket arms 64. lever I2| gradually decreases in width from its rear endto its connection with pin I20, then curves for a short distance as shown in'Fig. 5, and has its front portion, which passes through opening 62 iniwall 6I, slightly offset with respect to its pivotal connection with rod H9. The front end of lever I2I is pivoted to the lower end of a link I23 which in turn is ivoted to the lower end of a piston I24 that operates vertically in a cylinder I25 to control the passage of airto and from diaphragm valve 43. Cylinder I25 is carried by closure member 51.

From the position shown in Fig. 4, rod I I9 and roller H8 are adapted, when shaft H is pushed rearwardly, todrop by gravity to the position shown in Fig. 8, wherein roller II'8'moves into the path of forward travel of collar 14 and prevents this collar, and consequently shaft 1|,

from returning beyond the position shown in Fig. 8, in which position gear and pinion 96 are in mesh to provide a driving connection to rotate shaft 1| and the parts secured thereto. Rod H9 is guided in its vertical movement by means of a guide I26 preferably formed integral with and extending inwardly from the bracket arms 64. This rod passes through an opening in guide I26 and to insure movement of the'rod without binding, a bearing I21 is arranged in the opening in guide I26.

Between pin I20 and the rearend of lever I2I, this lever is provided with a depending portion I28 to which is secured the upper end of a leaf spring I29, the lower end of which extends into the rearward path of movement of collar 14, as shown in Fig. 4. Thus, when collar 14 is pushed rearwardly it engages spring I29, and if for any reason rod II9 has not dropped by gravity, collar 14 will tend to pivot lever I2I downwardly and thus insure downward movement of collar H8 into the path of return'movement of collar 14.

Adjacent its front end, lever I2I is provided with a pair of spaced depending preferably integral projections I30 and I3I (see Fig. 6), the latter of which is longer and is adapted to act as a stop member to engage wall BI at the bottom of opening 62 to limit the downward movement of lever "L A pin I32 is'arranged between projections I30 and I3I and this pin carries a roller I33, which when lever I 2| is down as in Fig. 8, will be in the path of travel of projections on cam discs 82 and 03. The projections on the later discs will strike roller I33 and cause lever I2I to rise to the position shown in Figs. 4 and 6.

Thus, it will'be seen that when rod II9 drops by gravity from the position shown in Fig. 4 to that in Fig. 8, lever I2I will move about its pivot pins I22'and-also drop, since it is fastened to rod II9. Lever I2I and rod II9 will remain in their lower position until the projections on cams 62 and 03 strike roller I33 and raise both the lever and the rod back to their initial position. As soon as roller II8 on the end of rod I I9 is raised to its initial position, shaft 1| and collar 14 will be moved forward by the action of spring H3, and collar 14 will again be under roller II8 so as to prevent downward movement of rod I19 until shaft H is again pushed rearwardly. While I have described rod H3 and lever I2I as being adapted to drop by gravity, it will be apparent that any suitable means that will move these members downwardly at the desired time may be substituted for the force of gravity.

Referring to Figs. 4, 6 and 8, piston I24 is provided with a reduced portion intermediate its ends that forms a passageway I34 around this portion of the piston which passageway is adapted to be aligned with the various ports in cylinder I25. This cylinder is provided with an intake port I35 which communicates with the incoming air line 31, an outgoing port I36 which communicates with the outgoing line 42 leading to diaphragm valve 43, and an exhaust port I31 leading to the atmosphere. when lever I2I is up, as in Figs. 4 and 6 which show the position of the parts when vulcanization has been completed or has not been started, intake port I35 is out of communication with passageway I34 and no air can pass from incoming line 31 to line 42. However, in this position of lever I2I, ports I33 and I31 are both aligned with passageway I34, whereby any air in line 42 will be permitted to exhaust to the atmosphere. When lever I2I is down, as in Fig. 8 which shows the position of the parts during vulcanization, exhaust port I31 is closed off by the piston while ports I35 and I36 are both in communication with passageway I34 to permit passage of air from line 31, through cylinder I25 into line 42 to act on diaphragm valve 43.

In passing from the incoming line 31 to port I35, air passes through port 53 in wall 55 into a small passage I33 in the wall 55 leading downwardly from port 53, then into a small port I33 which extends through a solid portion I43 of closure member 51 and through a gasket I43 arranged between closure member 51 and wall 55 so as to communicate at one end with passage I33. At its other end, port I33 communicates with an opening I4I (Fig. 6) formed in a gasket I42 arranged between closure member 51 and cylinder I25, which opening in turn communicates with port I35. I

Leaving port I33, air passes through an opening I43 (Fig. 6) in gasket I142, which opening communicates with a port I44 (Figs. 4 and 8) that extends through the solid portion I43 of closure member 51 and through gasket I43, into communication with a passage I45 (Figs. 3 and 7) in wall 55 that leads to port 56' which receives line 42.

Referring now to Figs. 2 and 9 it will be seen that cam disc 3I has a cam projection I43 thereon and the front face of the disc is calibrated. In this instance there are twenty spaces each indicating one minute, and each space is subdivided into quarter minutes. Cam disc 32 has a cam projection I41 thereon which is divided into quarter minute spaces, while cam disc 33 has a cam projection I48 thereon provided with a single line I49. Fig. 2 shows the starting position of the cam discs and in this instance the time is set for nine minutes and forty-five seconds. This is accomplished by moving disc 32 until the line on the extreme left of projection I41 is in alignment with the line opposite the numeral 3 on disc 8I, and then moving disc 33 until line I43 on projection I43 is in alignment with the fourth line from the left on projection I41, which represents three fifteen second spaces, or a total of forty-five seconds. The discs are ill then secured In the desired position by turning bolt 31 as previously described. Ring 34 and handle 35 may be grasped when setting the discs and will facilitate this setting. With this setting it will require approximately nine minutes and forty-five seconds from the time the discs begin to turn until projection I43 on disc 33 strikes roller I33 and raises lever I2I to allow shaft H to move forward and throw gear 35 and pinion 33 out of mesh, which breaks the connection to the timer motor 31. Of course, the cam discs may be set for any other desired time depending upon the length of time determined to be suitable for the cure.

As previously explained, shaft 1I rotates against the action of spring I33 and when gear 35 and pinion 33 are moved out of mesh, this spring will return shaft H and the cam discs thereon to their initial position. In order to prevent the discs going beyond their initial position. a stop member I53 is arranged in the path of travel of projection I43 on disc 3|, so that upon return movement of the discs, this projection I43 will engage member I50, as in Fig. 2, thus insuring return of the discs to proper starting position. disc I5I secured on the end of ascrew I52 which is threaded into one wall of closure member 51, and a rubber disc I53 is secured on the rear surface of disc I5I to receive the impact of projection I43 when it strikes the stop member; The position of stop member I53 may be regulated by inserting a screw driver in opening I54 in the closure member 51, to engage the end of screw I52. and after its position is determined, it may be held against accidental displacement by means of a leaf spring I55. This spring is secured at its lower end to wall 3I about midway of opening 32 and its upper end is curved as in Figs. 4 and 8 to fit in any one of a plurality of notches I53 formed in the outer periphery of disc I5I, thus holding the latter against accidental turning.

A front cover I51 is secured to closure member 51 by means of screws I58 and has a central opening I53 which receives a transparent glass member I33 that will permit observation of the cam discs through the glass. This glass has a central opening I3I which allows push button 38 to extend therethrough, as shown in Figs. 4 and 8. On the lower front portion of the device, a spring pressed stop button I32 is arranged to engage the stop switch 53 and close a circuit through this switch except when the button is held inwardly (see Fig. 10). As soon as button I32 is released after being held inwardly the spring is adapted to return the switch to close the circuit through this switch, as is customary in conventional switches of this type. A similar spring pressed reversing button I33 is arranged to close a circuit through the reversing switch 54, but this button operates in the reverse manner of button I32, in that button I33 must be held inwardly'to close a circuit through switch 54 and the spring returns the button to inoperative position when it is released (Fig. 10).

Referring to Fig. 1, shaft 3| carries a pair of cams I34 and I65 which respectively engage a pair of rollers I33 and I31 that operate to make and break the circuits through a pair of conventional limit switches I33 and I39 (see Fig. 10) respectively. Switch I33 is not visible in Fig. 1, since it is directly behind switch I33.

In the upper platen 23, a safety mic'ro switch I32 has been-arranged and this switch is operated by a pin 223 which is engaged by a lever Stop member I53 comprises a smallarm 22I, pivoted at its upper end at 222 to platen 23. Intermediate its ends, lever 22I rests on a roller 223 and its lower end is secured to an armate bar 228 which extends in front of the press and partially to the sides thereof, but which is in a position that will not interfere with the normal closing and opening of the press. However, should an operators arm or any-other obstruction be in thepath of the upper press head during its closing movement, bar 224 will strike the obstruction and cause lever Hi to pivot upwardly against pin 220, thus throwing switch I92 to a position which will break the circuit therethrough and immediately stop the press from further closing. As will be later explained, this movement of safety switch I92 also closes a reversing circuit which causes the press head to return to its starting position.

At times it may be necessary to remove the cam discs BI, 82 and 83 from shaft H to permit replacement or repair, etc. After removal of these discs, spring I03 will tend to rotate shaft H beyond its proper position, and to prevent this rotation I place a small projection 225 on the rear face of gear 12 which acts as a stop member and engages collar I to prevent rotation of shaft II beyond the point determined to be proper.

Fig. 10 shows a wiring diagram of the circuits used with this device and to assist in better understanding the operation, certain of the parts have been illustrated in conjunction with this diagram. The circuits to be described are preferably intended for use with alternating current, although direct current may be used if desired. Numeral I10 indicates a main switch having three arms I10a, I10b, I100, which is interposed between a source of current, in this instance of about 440 volts, and the circuits to be described.-

When arm I10a is in the dotted line position it is connected to a conductor I1I leading to a transformer I12, used to step part of the current down to about 110 volts. Transformer I12 is in turn connected to conductor I13 leading to arm I10b, which in its dotted line position completes the circuit through the transformer. From the trans- Jormer I12, a conductor I14 leads to arm 52a of the double switch 52, which in the full line position, is connected to conductor I15 which leads to stop switch 53, which is always closed until button I62 is pushed to break the circuit. From switch 53 a conductor I16 leads to conductor I11 which in turn leads to limit switch I69 which is in its full line position when the press is open. From the full line position of switch I69, a conductor I18 leads to the rear position of the starting switch I09, shown in dash lines. When switch I09 is in the rear position it is connected to'a conductor I19 which in turn is connected to a conductor I80, and the latter leads to acoil I8I of a relay comprised of said coil and four switch contactors I82, I83, I84 and I85. From switch 62 is in the full line position, a circuit is completed through timer motor 91 to start the latter in operation, and a second circuit through coil IN is ready to be completed as soon as switch I09 is moved to its dash line position.

When coil I8I becomes energized by the cir'-- cuit passing therethrough as described, the switch I contactors I82, I83, I84 and I85 are closed and coil IN a conductor I86 leads to a conductor I81 which leads back to transformer I12 to complete the circuit. It will be seen that in order to make this circuit operative, it is only necessary to push shaft 1i rearwardiy to its extreme rearward position whereby switch I09 will engage conductors I18 and I19.

Conductor I14 is also connected to a conductor I88 leading to arm 52?) of switch 52, which in the full line position is connected to a conductor I89 leading to the timer motor 91. From motor 91 a conductor I90 leads to conductor I81 which is connected to the transformer I12, Thus when remain closed until the circuit to the coil I8I is broken. Since the rear position of. switch I09 is obtained only while button 88 is being held at its full inward position, it becomes necessary to provide a holding circuit which will preserve the circuit through coil I8I after the button 88 is released. This holding circuit is obtained by having switch I68 in its dotted-line position just as the press starts to close, whereby its lower terminal is connected to conductor I11 leading to conductor I16. The upper terminal of switch I68 in its dotted line position is connected to a conductor I9l leading to safety switch I92, which is in its full line position at this time. From the safety switch I92, a conductor I93 leads to contactor I82 which, being closed makes a connection through conductor I94 to conductor I and thence to coil I8I to complete the circuit through coil I8I without regard to starter button 88.

Motor 32 is a conventional three phase motor and. the three circuits leading thereto are as follows:

Going back to switch arm I10a, a conductor I96 leads to contactor I83, which being closed, makes a connection through conductor I 91 to point I98 on the press motor 32. The second circuit leads from point I99 on motor 32, through conductor 200 to contactor I84, which being closed, makes a connection to conductor 20I which leads to arm I10b of the switch I10 in its dotted line position. Referring now to the third circuit, from switch "00 in its dotted line position, a conductor 202 leads to contactor I85, which being closed, makes a connection to conductor 203 which leads to point 204 on motor 32.

After'the press motor is started the press begins to close and the holding circuit is broken as soon as the press is closed by having cam I64 engage roller I 66 and move switch I68 to its full line position. This opens contactors I82, I83, I84 and I and consequently breaks all circuits which included .-these contactors, thus shutting off the press motor 32. At this point, however, the timer motor 91 is still in full operation since the circuit thereto has never been broken.

During the closing movement of the press it an operator's hand or arm engages the bar 224 which throws safety switch I92, this switch will move to the dotted line position and break the circuit to coil I8 I, thus stopping the press motor 32. At the same time a reversing circuit is made through the dotted line position of switch I92 to conductor 205, then to conductor 206 which leads to one side of a reversing coil 201 of a relay which is comprised of said coil and switch contactors 208, 209 and 2I0. The other side of coil 201 is connected to a conductor I86 leading to conductor I81 which is connected to transformer I12, When coil. 201 is energized by the circuit passing therethrough, contactors 208, 209 and 2I0 are closed to make circuits through them. Since a three phase motor may be reversed by reversing any two of the three circuits leading to it, the reversing circuits are now complete and the first circuit comprises armI-10a leading to conductor I96 which in turn leads to conductor and the latter comprises arm connected through conductor 202 to conductor 2I8 which leads to contactor 2I0, the latter being connected to conductor 208 which leads to point 204 on motor 32.

The closing movement of the press may also be stopped by pushing stop button I62 inwardly against the action of its spring to break the cir-' cuit through switch 63. This results in breaking the circuit through coil I8I, which opens contactors I82, I83, I84.and I85 and stops the press motor 82.

After the closing of the press has been stopped by pushing button I62, the movement may be reversed by pressing the reversing button I68 to close a circuit through conductors 206 and 2. When the reversing switch 64 is in reversing position it is connected by conductor 2 to switch I68 in the broken line position of the latter, and by conductor 206 to coil 201 which results in reversing motor 82 in the same manner described when safety switch I92 was thrown to its dotted line position. When reversing switch 54 is in the circuit, the latter comprises transformer I12, conductor I14, arm 52a of switch 52, conductor I16 and switch 58. This switch 58 will be returned to circuit closing position as soon as the button I62 is released after the press is stopped. Switch 63 is connected through conductor I16 to conductor I11 which leads to the lower terminal of switch I68, the latter being connected in its dotted line position to conductor 2.

In the final movement of the closing of the press, in addition to breaking the holding circuit by moving switch I68 to its full line position, cam I65 engages roller I61 and throws limitswitch I69 to its dotted line position. Since the cycle of operations, unless interrupted as described, is entirely automatic after the press is started by pushing button 88, it is necessary that the press open automatically after vulcanization 'is complete. As previously explained,cam 88 will strike roller I88 at the end of the cure and raise roller I I8 so that shaft H can return to its initial position. In this initial position, switch I09 is in the full line position and closes a circuit through conductors I80 and 2I5. This will energize coil I8I and start the press motor 82 in operation to open the press. This circuit is from transformer I12 through arm 52a of switch 52, conductor I15, switch 58, conductors I16 and I11, switch I69 in its dotted line position, conductor 2I5, switch I09 in its full line position, conductor I80, coil I8I, and conductors I 86 and I81 to the transformer I12. Thus coil I8I will be energized again and contactors I82, I88, I84 and I85 will be closed to complete the circuits to motor 82 in the manner previously described.

As soon as the press is fully open, roller I61 drops of! of cam I65 and allows switch I69 to return to its full line position, breaking the circuit to coil I8I and stopping the motor 82.

To better understand the complete operation the various steps will be reviewed in their logical order. A tube I8 is first placed in the lower mold section I0, connected to fluid line I6 and discs 8| 82 and 88 are set for the desired time of cure to be given to the tube. At this time the 1 diaphragm valve 43 is closed so that fluid cannot enter tube I8 and valve 88 is closed so that air cannot pass beyond the latter valve in line 81. The main switch I10 is now moved so that its arms I10a, H011 and I100 are in their dotted line positions and switch 52 is moved (by moving handle 62' to the right in Figs. 2 and 3) so that its arms 52a and 62b are in their full line positions. This action starts the timer motor 91 in operation through arm 52b and prepares the circuit through arm 62a to coil I8I so that the latter will be energized when switch I09 is moved to its dash line position.

The press is now ready for operation and the starting button 88 is pushed inwardly as far as it will go to slide shaft H to its extreme rearward position and move switch I09 to its dash line position. This sliding movement of shaft 1I moves gear 96 past pinion 96 and into the space between the latter and plate 66, and the press begins to close as soon as switch I09 closes the circuit through coil I8I and starts motor 82 in operation. The initial closing movement of the press moves switch I68 to its dotted line position, which closes the circuit through the holding circuit and permits button 88 to be released without tie-energizing coil I8I.

Also, when shaft 1| was moved rearwardly,

roller II8 dropped into the path of collar 14 and line 81 because the latter valve has not yet been opened.

Roller H8 is adapted to permit return movement of shaft II to a position where gear 95 and pinion 96 are in mesh and to hold this position until the cure is complete. Hence, when button 88 is released, gear 95 and pinion 96 will be allowed to mesh to provide a driving engagement from motor 91 to shaft H, to rotate the latter and the cam discs secured thereon. Since this driving connection will be made before the press is closed and before any curing medium is admitted to tube I8, it is necessary, in setting the cam discs 8|, 82 and 88 to make allowances for the time during which the discs will be rotating before the cure actually starts.

As the press reaches its final closing movement,

V switch I68 is moved to its full line position to break the circuit to motor 82 andstop the press, and switch I69 moves to its dash line position to prepare the circuit which will open the press after the cure is complete.

When link I9, which carries pin 4I, reaches the A broken line position in Fig. 1, the press is closed and plunger 4I engages pin 40 and remains in engagement therewith to open valve 88 to admit air to cylinder I26. Since lever I2I is in its lower position, air will pass through cylinder I26 to line 42, which air acts on diaphragm valve 48 to open the latter and admit the curing medium from line 44 into tube I8.

When the cam discs have been rotated nearly the distance previously determined to be proper,

projection I41 will strike roller I88 on lever I2I and raise the latter a short distance which is willwith line 42 and allows the airwhich was acting on valve 43 to be exhausted to the atmosphere. Thus valve 43 is closed again to cut oil the curing -medium to tube l3, and this curingmedium is allowed to exhaust to the atmosphere through the exhaust port in valve 43. The movement upwardly of roller H8 at this time is not enough to permit return of collar I4, as shown in broken lines in Fig. 8. At the time projection I 41 strikes roller I33 about 45 seconds remains until this roller will be engaged by projection I48 which will raise lever I2I to its full upward position. Thus air is allowed to exhaust from the tube about 45 seconds ahead of the opening of the press.

At the time lever I2I is moved fully upwardly. 2o

rod IIS and roller III; are also moved upwardly whereby shaft II may return to its initial position, in which position switch I09 assumes its full line position and closes the circuit which starts the press to open. At the completion of the opening movement of the press, switches I68 and I69 return to their initial positions, breaking the circuit to motor 32 and preparing the circuits for the next cycle of operation. When shaft II returns to its starting position, gear 95 is moved out of engagement with pinion 96, and spring I03 will immediately rotate shaft 'II in the opposite direction, thus returning discs BI, 82 and 83 to their initial positions. During the opening movement of the press plunger 4I becomes disengaged 35 from pin 80 and valve 38 is closed until the press again closes during its next operation. Thus all the parts are returned to their initial positions,

the vulcanized tube is removed from the press and the latter is ready for another operation. 40

The operation of the safety mechanism has already been described as well as the functions of the stop and reverse buttons and need not be repeated.

In Fig. 2 it will be noted that handle 52 of switch 52 can be moved to the left to what is" termed the manual position, as well as to the automatic position to the right. As shown in Fig. 10, this manual position is represented in broken lines and merely results in cutting out the circuit to the timer motor 91 so that the device no longer works automatically.

There are several additional features present in this invention, some of which I will call attention to. For example, it is possible to release 55 shafts II and SI at any time before the completion of the cure, and upon their release, the

spring I03 will return them to their initial position. This release is accomplished by pushing button 88 inwardly to slide shafts II and SI from 0 the position shown in Fig. 8 to a position where gear 95 is out of mesh with pinion 06 and is between the latter and plate 66. As soon as this gear and pinion go out of mesh and no restraint is placed on shafts II and 0|, spring I03 will reverse the rotation of these shafts and return them to starting position.

It sometimes is desirable to stop the closing of the press before it has completed its closing movement and this can be done by pressing stop button I62. After stopping this closing movement, the timing mechanism can be returned to starting position by sliding shafts II and 9| as previously explained until gear 95 and pinion 95 are out of mesh. In this same sliding movement of cure for an additional four minutes.

with shaft II it is possible to increase or de-.

crease the length of time for the cure. Suppose, for example, the timer-has been running for about five minutes and it is desired to increase the time Shafts II and 9| are now slid rearwardly by placing a conventional hexagonal key (not shown) in the hexagonal opening 81' formed in nut 81, and pushing this key rearwardly. This action will cause gear and pinion 36 to go out of mesh, but the shafts II and 9| cannot be rotated by spring I03 as long as the key is held in the operators hand. With the gear and pinion out of mesh, shaft II and the cam discs thereon may be turned back to one minute by turning the key. Thus, when the shafts "II and 9| are permitted to return to the Fig. 8

position with the gear and pinion in mesh it will take four additional minutes to complete the cure. Similarly, if the curing time is to be shortened.

for example for a period of two minutes, after five minutes has already elapsed, the key is turned to bring the shaft II and the cam discs thereon forward two minutes. ion are then allowed to return to their meshed position, it will require two minutes less time to complete the cure.

While I have shownand described the preferred form of the invention it will be apparent that modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the subioined claims.

What is claimed is:

, 1. In combination with a vulcanizing press of the character described, mechanism for opening and closing the press, means for supplying a curing medium to an article in said press comprising a fluid pressure line, a pair of spaced valves in said line, means for opening one of said valves in advance of the other valve, time controlled means for closing said one valve at a predetermined time in advance of the other valve, and

plete, means including said first named means for returning said time controlling mechanism to its initial position after the closing movement of the press has been arrested, said first named means being operable thereafter to again start said tlme'controlling mechanism and continue the closing movement of the press.

3. In a press of the character described, the combination with a chamber and mechanism including an electric circuit for closing and open- Thus, when the gear and pinincluding a motor'operative to determine the period during which the chamber remains closed, means for initiating the movement of said mechanism for closing the chamber and for starting said time controlling mechanism comprising a rotatable shaft movable longitudinally to close said electric circuit and into driven engagement with said motor whereby said motor will rotate said shaft in one direction, a member operable to rotate said shaft in the opposite direction, means for arresting said closing movement before it is complete, and means including said first 'named means to make said member operable to rotate said shaft in the opposite direction to return said time controlling mechanism to its initial position and thereafter to again start said time controlling mechanism and continue the closing movement of the press.

4. In a press of the character described, the combination with a' curing chamber and mechanism for closing and opening the chamber, of time controlling mechanism operative to determine the period during which the chamber remains closed, means for initiating the operation of said mechanisms to close the chamber and for starting said time controlling mechanism, said means being operable to arrest the action of said time controlling mechanism before the completion of the cure, and means cooperating with said first named means to thereafter restore the action of said time controlling mechanism.

5. In a press of the character described, the

.ing the chamber, of time controlling mechanism combination with a curing chamber and mechanism for closing and opening the chamber, of time controlling mechanism operative to determine the period during which the-chamber remains closed, means for initiating the operation of said mechanisms to close the chamber and for starting said time controlling mechanism, said means being operable to arrest the action or said time controlling mechanism before the completion of the cure, means for returning said time controlling mechanism to its starting position after its action has' been arrested, and means cooperating with said first named means to thereafter restore the action of said time controlling mechanism.

6. In a press of the character described, the combination with a curing chamber and mechanism for closing and opening the chamber, of time controlling mechanism operative to determine the period during which the chamber remains closed, means for initiating the operation of saidmechanisms to close the chamber and for starting said time controlling mechanism to operate for a predetermined curing period, said means being operable to arrest the action of said time controlling mechanism before the completion of the cure, means for resetting the time controlling mechanism after its action has been arrested to change said predetermined curing period, and means cooperating with said first named means to thereafter restore the action of said time controlling mechanism.

LESLIE E. SODERQUIST. 

